Encoder system and method of assembling an encoder system

Abstract

An encoder system with a timing disc includes a preassembled circuit board with a U-shaped sensor / emitter embracing the edge of the timing disc. The timing disc is configured to be slipped onto a motor shaft at the flange end of an electric motor, and the circuit board is designed to be mounted on the flange of the motor by mechanical, thermal, and / or adhesive means of attachment. The motor flange is equipped with a centering collar that has a flattened portion on its otherwise circular circumference. The circuit board has a cutout opening that receives the centering collar in a form-fitting way when the circuit board is slid onto the flange of the motor. By rotating the circuit board 90° about the centering collar, the circuit board is secured in a defined position on the motor flange.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to an encoder system with a plurality of elements forming an assembly that can be fastened to the flange end of an electric motor by mechanical, thermal, and / or adhesive means of attachment. The encoder system includes a timing disc, a circuit board, and a plug-in connector. The timing disc can be slipped onto a motor shaft at the flange end of an electric motor. The motor can be connected to a power source by means of contact elements. The circuit board has connections for a U-shaped sensor-emitter unit which embraces the edge of the timing disc and is adjustable in all three spatial directions to permit the reception of position signals. The plug-in connector has connecting leads forming electrically conductive connections between the elements forming the assembly.[0002]The invention further relates to a method of installing an encoder system of a design that meets the foregoing description.[0003]Encoder systems of the type de...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]It is therefore the object of the present invention to develop an encoder system as well as a method of assembling an encoder system, wherein the processes of centering the timing disc on the motor shaft and positioning the sensor-emitter unit can be performed in one operating step, and wherein the tools and assembly devices can be controlled in the simplest possible way and therefore with a high degree of accuracy.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017]It is advantageous, prior to sliding the circuit board on the centering collar, to apply an adhesive to the recess of the circuit board and to allow the adhesive bond to harden after the inserting and rotating steps.

[0018]It has been found that as a result of the inventive design of the new encoder system, easy centering of the timing disc and of the circuit board can be achieved with only two feed advance movements of the assembly system. The two movements can be carried out independently of one another, so that there is no need to move into any intermediate positions. Installation can take place with largely preassembled elements in a single operation, thus achieving large production runs of 1000 parts per hour on one production unit.

Problems solved by technology

In an automated assembly process of the encoder system, the problem presents itself that feed advance movements have to be carried out along several axes, where the need for a high degree of precision imposes special requirements on assembly devices, feed advance movements, and guide elements for the moving parts of the assembly machine.

Encoder systems are therefore expensive, and the prior art production methods are failure prone.

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